Man says Sunrise firefighter handed him campaign flier while on duty

February 13, 2013|By Susannah Bryan, Sun Sentinel

SUNRISE — — Most city employees know not to campaign for a political candidate while on the clock.

But one man says a Sunrise firefighter was on duty and in uniform when he handed him a campaign flier for Jim Tabeek, one of seven candidates running to replace Sheila Alu on the Sunrise commission in March.

Keith Wright, of Lauderhill, said he stopped by Sunrise Commissioner Joey Scuotto's restaurant Saturday to pick up a menu.

Wright said the firefighter heard him say he was new to the area, then handed him a flier and told him to vote for Tabeek, a Delray Beach fire captain endorsed by the Sunrise fire union.

Under Florida law, it is illegal for public employees to participate in any political campaign while on duty. Anyone who violates the law can be charged with a first-degree misdemeanor.

"It doesn't look right," said Wright, whose Sunrise girlfriend is the sister-in-law of John Fusaro, another candidate in the race.

"You shouldn't say anything if you are in uniform," Wright said. "You are representing the city, and it makes your candidate look bad. It would be the same if I was visiting Chicago and saw a cop handing out a campaign flier. It's wrong."

Tabeek agreed that Sunrise firefighters should not be campaigning for him while on duty.

John McNamara, fire union president, said he would remind Sunrise firefighters of the rules.

"I will obviously reaffirm with our membership that we do not condone campaign activity on duty," he said.

McNamara, however, questioned the story.

"If this guy claims there was a Sunrise rescue truck out front, I can only assume they were picking up food," McNamara said. "Here's the bottom line: To me, the story is almost comical. I take it with a grain of salt."

When told the man who complained has a connection to Fusaro, McNamara said: "I think that speaks for itself."

The other candidates in the race include Yomtov "Vivi" Assidon, Imogene Ferguson, Kris Hobbs, David Iannacone and Neil Kerch.